Delegation
Delegation and Growing Leaders
Section titled “Delegation and Growing Leaders”A community that depends on one person is fragile. The mark of good leadership is building other leaders — people who can run meetings, resolve conflicts, onboard members, and eventually start their own groups.
The Delegation Ladder
Section titled “The Delegation Ladder”Move members up this ladder over time:
| Level | Role | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Participant | Attends, contributes to discussion |
| 2 | Contributor | Presents topics, writes for the wiki, organizes events |
| 3 | Facilitator | Leads meetings, moderates discussions |
| 4 | Steward | Handles onboarding, conflict resolution, governance decisions |
| 5 | Founder | Starts a new Junto group |
Don’t rush people through levels. Each step builds competence and confidence.
How to Delegate Effectively
Section titled “How to Delegate Effectively”1. Start with the outcome, not the task
Section titled “1. Start with the outcome, not the task”“We need someone to ensure new members feel welcomed in their first month” is better than “Send a welcome email.”
2. Give authority with responsibility
Section titled “2. Give authority with responsibility”If someone is responsible for onboarding, they should have the authority to make decisions about the onboarding process.
3. Accept different approaches
Section titled “3. Accept different approaches”The person you delegate to won’t do it exactly how you would. That’s fine. Focus on outcomes, not methods.
4. Support without micromanaging
Section titled “4. Support without micromanaging”Check in periodically. Ask “How can I help?” not “Why didn’t you do X?“
5. Celebrate publicly, correct privately
Section titled “5. Celebrate publicly, correct privately”Acknowledge good work in front of the group. Address problems one-on-one.
Identifying Future Leaders
Section titled “Identifying Future Leaders”Look for people who:
- Show up consistently — Reliability is the foundation
- Help without being asked — They see what needs doing and do it
- Ask good questions — Curiosity signals engagement
- Handle disagreement well — They can navigate conflict without creating drama
- Think about the group — They consider community health, not just their own experience
The Leadership Pipeline
Section titled “The Leadership Pipeline”For a community of 12 members, aim for:
- 1-2 stewards (handle governance and conflict)
- 2-3 facilitators (can lead any meeting)
- 3-4 regular contributors (present, write, organize)
- All members participate actively
If more than 3 members are ready for Level 5 (founder), it’s time to multiply.